For many Pinays with mighty pipes, the goal is to hit recording jackpot in the US. Get signed, release an album, conquer Billboard’s charts—all in the land of milk and honey.

Here’s one Pinay who begs to differ: meet June Marieezy, the Stateside-born Cebuana who is thrilled to be making a name for herself as a soul and hip-hop songstress right here in the Philippines.

Originally from Dallas, Texas, June jetted off to Manila in 2008 and has been in an ongoing love affair with the Philippines since. Finding herself smack-dab in the middle of Manila’s gritty gray landscape obviously did wonders for her creativity: she enrolled in a music production course and has been throwing herself into musical projects, showing no signs of slowing down.

After a stint doing vocals for alternative band Good Morning High Fives, June eventually found her musical groove by mixing soul, hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and rock. This fusion of styles is the sound that is taking her to different stages and places, including theMalasimbo Music & Arts Festival 2012 held in Puerto Galera.

June recently released the EP Heavy Eyes, an urban soul gem under local independent label Deeper Manila. Although she travels back and forth between Dallas and Manila, think of Heavy Eyes as her love letter to our madcap culture, which she is discovering—and loving—more and more with each day she spends here.

Hit play on the videos below to sample some of June’s songs, including her super chill toast to the warm weather months,“Summertime”.

Savor June Marieezy’s smooth and sexy neo-soul jams at the Manila Music Festival on May 1 at the Alphaland Bay City, Paranaque City. Oh, and have we mentioned that she’s hot?